Worship Notes for Lent

Weekend of Sunday, March 3 Transfiguration of Our Lord Luke 9:28-43Sermon Title: “Irradianted!”Witnesses to the glory of God in the face of Jesus will be unable to avoid reflecting that glory in the world. It was true for Moses. It was doubtless true for Peter, James, and John. We pray that it will be true of all of us who see the glory of the Lord in the word and in the supper and who are being “transformed into the same image” by the Spirit of God.

Ash Wednesday, March 6 Ash Wednesday Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21Sermon Title: “The Dirty Business of Discipleship”In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus commends almsgiving, prayer, and fasting, but emphasizes that spiritual devotion must not be done for show.

Weekend of Sunday, March 10 1st Sunday in Lent Luke 4:1-13Sermon Title: “The Manifestation of Evil”After being filled with the Holy Spirit at his baptism, Jesus is led in the wilderness. Through his responses to the temptations of the devil, he defines what it means to be called “the Son of God.” Today we will discuss Satan/the Devil.

Weekend of Sunday, March 17 2nd Sunday in Lent Luke 23:1-25Sermon Title: “Axis of Evil”Some would argue that Pilate and Herod are to blame for the death of Jesus Christ, but are they, or were they just players in the drama of the Passion. Today we will take a closer look at these two men who have pivotal roles in the Passion.

Weekend of Sunday, March 24 3rd Sunday in Lent Luke 13:1-9Sermon Title: “Leaders and Teachers of Israel”Five groups of religious people continually show up in the public ministry of Jesus and for the most part, are his adversaries to his end. Today we will look at two sects of Judaism – Pharisees and Sadducees; scribes; and two classes of religious professionals – rabbis and priests.

Weekend of Sunday, March 31 4th Sunday in Lent Luke 6:12-16Sermon Title: “The Disciples”The Gospelers can't agree on who the authentic Twelve were, but that matters little during the Passion. Two of Jesus' disciples have pivotal roles – Judas and Peter. Today we will quickly look at the disciples generally, but more specifically at Judas and Peter.

Weekend of Sunday, April 7 5th Sunday in Lent Luke 19:29-44Sermon Title: “Mob Mentality”It could be argued that the common peasant Jew had as much to do with the crucifixion of Jesus as did any others. After all, they were the ones who cried out, "Crucify him!" Today we will look at what the Jews anticipated and wanted, misguided or not, and how Jesus did or did not meet their expectations.

Weekend of Sunday, April 14 Passion Sunday Luke 22:14-23:56Sermon Title: “Merciful Servants”Two characters played very small but important roles in the drama of the Passion. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, are barely mentioned and yet their witness tells a story of the impact of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Weekend of Sunday, April 21 Easter Sunday Luke 24:1-12Sermon Title: “First Witnesses”Evidently expecting to find Jesus’ corpse, some of his women followers go to the tomb with embalming spices. After a perplexing encounter with the empty tomb and angelic visitors, the women become the first to proclaim the amazing news of resurrection.